CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[gobombersgo]

https://3downnation.com/2025/10/22/the-toronto-argonauts-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

https://3downnation.com/2025/10/29/the-ottawa-redblacks-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

https://3downnation.com/2025/10/30/the-edmonton-elks-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/03/the-calgary-stampeders-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/10/the-hamilton-tiger-cats-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/11/the-b-c-lions-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/18/the-montreal-alouettes-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/20/the-saskatchewan-roughriders-potential-2026-free-agent-list/

[gobombersgo]

The Edmonton Elks have extended a pair of budding defensive stars in American defensive back Kordell Jackson and Canadian defensive lineman Noah Curtis.

Jackson was the Elks' nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2025, racking up 78 defensive tackles, two sacks, an interception, and 11 passes defended. The Birmingham, Al., native will now be tied to the organization through 2027 as part of a two-year extension.

Curtis will remain in Edmonton through 2026 after missing the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL.

A fourth-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft, Curtis has suited up in 35 games, recording 44 defensive tackles and eight sacks. The six-foot-five, 302-pound pass rusher has made starts at both defensive end and defensive tackle, making him a uniquely valuable prospect.

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/19/edmonton-elks-extend-budding-defensive-stars-kordell-jackson-noah-curtis/

[gobombersgo]

The Toronto Argonauts have re-signed Canadian linebackers Ryder Varga and Jordan Herdman-Reed.

The six-foot-three, 225-pound Varga came to Toronto via trade with B.C. in January and went on to play 13 games with 10 special teams tackles in 2025.

The six-foot, 235-pound Herdman-Reed signed with Toronto in July and played seven games while registering five special teams tackles. The seven-year CFL veteran played 13 games for Saskatchewan in 2024, making eight special teams tackles.

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/19/toronto-argos-re-sign-canadian-linebackers-ryder-varga-jordan-herdman-reed/

[gobombersgo]

The Edmonton Elks have extended a pair of impact defensive linemen, Canadian defensive end Robbie Smith and American defensive tackle Jordan Williams.

Smith's new deal will keep him with the team through 2027, while Williams, who was a pending free agent, is now under contract for 2026.

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/20/edmonton-elks-extend-defensive-linemen-robbie-smith-jordan-williams/

[VictorRomano]

Man, if we could get Hardrick back from Sask, along with maybe Robustelli and SYQB Tommy Stevens, I'd be real happy with that.  I said last year we should have gone with Stevens over Strevvy in FA.  Add Dequoy or Katsantonis at Safety and I'd be really, really happy.

[gobombersgo]

The Montreal Alouettes have locked up kicker Jose Maltos Diaz with a two-year contract extension, which will keep him with the team through 2027.

The native of Monterrey, Mexico, suited up for 18 regular-season games, both playoff games, and the Grey Cup this season. He broke the single-season franchise field-goal record previously held by David Duval by putting 58 kicks through the uprights, while leading the CFL in points (210) and finishing third in field-goal percentage (89.2 percent).

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/20/montreal-alouettes-ink-global-kicker-jose-maltos-diaz-to-two-year-extension/

[gobombersgo]

Robbie Smith remains one of CFL's highest-paid players on extension with Edmonton Elks

Canadian defensive lineman Robbie Smith will remain one of the CFL's highest-paid players on his extension with the Edmonton Elks, per sources, despite coming off a down year.

The 28-year-old played only 10 regular-season games due to injury in 2025, recording 16 defensive tackles. Based on what they're paying him over the next two seasons, it appears the Elks still have full confidence in Smith.

The product of Wilfrid Laurier University received a $50,000 signing bonus to extend with the team through 2027.

Including this bonus, the new contract is worth $235,000 in hard money for 2026, including $135,000 in salary, $25,000 in non-football-related services to the team, and $15,000 in housing. He can also earn an addition $13,500 in possible incentives, including $2,500 if he records eight sacks and another $2,500 if he reaches 10 sacks.

In 2027, Smith is set to earn $240,000 in hard money with a salary increase to $145,000 and an offseason roster bonus worth $45,000. He also has the same $13,500 in possible incentives available. If he reaches all of his incentives over the next two years, Smith will earn $502,000 from the Elks.

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/20/robbie-smith-remains-one-of-cfls-highest-paid-players-on-extension-with-edmonton-elks/

[ModAdmin]

Lions extend five, including National LB Chase Tataryn

VANCOUVER — The BC Lions announced on Thursday they have extended five players: Global kicker Ross Bolger, National offensive lineman Alex Berwick, National long snapper Cam Foran, National offensive lineman Connor Klassen and National linebacker Chase Tataryn.

Bolger (five-foot-11, 207 pounds) was selected fourth overall in last spring's Global Draft. The native of Laois, Ireland spent all of this past season on the practice squad. The former Gaelic Football player moved to North America in 2023 to play at Idaho State for 33 games across two seasons.

As a senior, Bolger finished 13th in the nation in net punting and was named Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week three times. He earned an invitation to the NFL International Pathway program early in 2025.

Berwick (six-foot-two, 306 pounds) was selected in round seven (59th overall) of the 2025 CFL Draft. After emerging from training camp with a spot on the practice roster, the Ottawa native dressed in six regular season games as a reserve offensive lineman.

Alex played his entire University career at Western, suiting up in 41 games from 2021-24. Along with helping the Mustangs win a Vanier Cup and Mitchell Bowl in 2021, he earned OUA First-Team All-Star and U Sports Second-Team All-Canadian in his final year.

Foran (six-foot, 212 pounds) originally signed with the Lions ahead of 2025 training camp and made his CFL debut on September 27 in a special teams role.

Cam suited up at Acadia from 2021-24, recording 7.5 tackles. He took over as the team's full-time long snapper in 2023.

Klassen(six-foot-four, 310 pounds) is a Big River, Saskatchewan product and was taken in round four (37th overall) of last year's CFL Draft, Klassen was released by the team after suffering an injury in training camp.

Following three junior seasons with the Regina Thunder (2019, 2021-22) that saw two Prairie Conference All-Star selections, Klassen moved to U Sports and the Regina Rams from 2023-24 and served as the squad's starting right tackle for 19 games.

Tataryn (five-foot-11, 212 lbs) is a native of Saskatoon, and was taken in round six (50th overall) of last year's CFL Draft after suiting up in 28 games with the Alberta Golden Bears from 2021 to 2024, registering 139 total tackles (91 solo, 48 assisted), 11 tackles for a loss, six sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Following 2025 training camp in Kamloops, he was released to pursue his final year of U Sports eligibility. In eight games with the Golden Bears this season, Tataryn had 55 total tackles (39 solo, 16 assisted), a pair of pass breakups, one sack, one interception and a fumble recovery in eight contests.

[dd]

Saskatchewan's entire recieving corps will become Free agents , they can't re-sign them all, potential good reciever may shake out of there (again).

Wonder if Taylor Powell is going to be happy being #2 in Hamilton again, could come here and get a foot in the door and potentially become a starter 2 years from now. Guess it depends on BLM retirement plans.

[Tecno]

Saskatchewan's entire recieving corps will become Free agents , they can't re-sign them all, potential good reciever may shake out of there (again).

Pass on all of them.  None of them are a Dressler.  SSK will keep K.Johnson as the priority (best hands).  I don't think the rest matter, other than SSK needing a lot of NATs.  SSK has built a scheme that nearly any goofball can succeed in, especially if he's bigger/heavier for the blocking.  I would expect the ELCs stay and the rest walk if they get offers.

Wonder if Taylor Powell is going to be happy being #2 in Hamilton again, could come here and get a foot in the door and potentially become a starter 2 years from now. Guess it depends on BLM retirement plans.

I'd be all over Powell.  I would spell out exactly what you said to him -- come and dev under Zach and you're our man in 1-3 seasons.  He'd have to accept Strev-like money though.  No $$ for anything better.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Pass on all of them.  None of them are a Dressler.  SSK will keep K.Johnson as the priority (best hands).  I don't think the rest matter, other than SSK needing a lot of NATs.  SSK has built a scheme that nearly any goofball can succeed in, especially if he's bigger/heavier for the blocking.  I would expect the ELCs stay and the rest walk if they get offers.

You keep dissing the Riders receiving group without acknowledging they're doing it with 4 Natls, which is pretty impressive, not sure that's ever been done in modern times.  Imagine if they still had McInnis? They've built that group entirely through the draft and recruitment over a long time, Bombers #3 Sterns ended up here because he could not make the roster there, looks like Banes who beat him out will be looking for a new home soon as well.

[Balticfox]

Pass on all of them.  None of them are a Dressler.  SSK will keep K.Johnson as the priority (best hands).  I don't think the rest matter, other than SSK needing a lot of NATs.  SSK has built a scheme that nearly any goofball can succeed in, especially if he's bigger/heavier for the blocking.  I would expect the ELCs stay and the rest walk if they get offers.

Sam Emilus was the Roughriders' most productive/consistent receiver when he got back from injury.

 

[Ridermania]

Riders draft picks win U-Sports top O-Lineman and top defensive player awards.

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/20/western-ol-riders-draft-pick-erik-andersen-wins-j-p-metras-trophy-as-top-u-sports-lineman/

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/20/saskatchewan-linebacker-riders-draft-pick-seth-hundeby-wins-presidents-trophy-as-top-u-sports-defender/

[dd]

Pass on all of them.  None of them are a Dressler.  SSK will keep K.Johnson as the priority (best hands).  I don't think the rest matter, other than SSK needing a lot of NATs.  SSK has built a scheme that nearly any goofball can succeed in, especially if he's bigger/heavier for the blocking.  I would expect the ELCs stay and the rest walk if they get offers.

I'd be all over Powell.  I would spell out exactly what you said to him -- come and dev under Zach and you're our man in 1-3 seasons.  He'd have to accept Strev-like money though.  No $$ for anything better.

You can't let your Rider hatred cloud your talent judgement.

I'd be giddy with glee if we could find a Sam Emilus deep threat and a KSB, those are 2 QUALITY NATS that any team would want, thing is, the Riders aren't going to let them walk. Meyers is a very productive reciever for them as well, as was Robustelli, who may shake free after the FA $$ are used to sign Emilus and KSB, and I would GLADLY welcome either to our lineup. Both Meyers and Robustelli are game changers and would be an upgrade compared to our current lot.